Heart and Circulation
© Caspar Benson.
Students investigate the heart's structure and function, blood pathways, how volumes of blood are moved through the body, and the effects of microgravity on the heart. The guide provides the following activities and readings.
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Pre- and Post-Assessment - What do students know, and once the unit is completed, what have they learned?
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A System of Transport - How are large quantities of liquid moved through the body?
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Why Circulate? - What is dispersion and how does it relate to the circulatory system?
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It Begins with the Heart - What does the circulatory system consist of?
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The Heart is a Pump - How does the heart work?
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Examining the Heart - What is the internal structure of the heart and how does blood flow through it?
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Heart Rate and Exercise - How does the heart respond to physical activity?
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The Science of Cardiac Research - NSBRI scientists research benefits of an exercise program to counteract space-related heart, lung, muscle and bone problems.
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What is Blood Pressure? - How is blood pressure measured?
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Challenge: Microgravity - What effects do gravity and microgravity have on fluid distribution in the body?
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AstroBlogs - Stimulate students’ thinking and encourage students to express their ideas in writing by providing topics for a “blog-wall.”
Activities in The Science of the Heart and Circulation Teacher's Guide was designed for students in grades 6–8, but also may be used with other grade levels as deemed appropriate.
This guide is available in print format.
Download: The Science of the Heart and Circulation Teacher's Guide Download: Classroom Slides
Funded by the following grant(s)
National Space Biomedical Research Institute
This work was supported by National Space Biomedical Research Institute through NASA cooperative agreement NCC 9-58.